[[Image:Synaxis of the Archangels.jpg|right|frame|[[Synaxis]] of the Archangels]]

The '''Archangels''' are called the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. Their service (as St. [[Dionysius the Areopagite]] says) consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God's will which they receive from the higher orders of [[angels]] and announce to the lower order, i.e., the [[angels]], and through them, to men. St. [[Gregory the Dialogist]] says that the archangels strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the holy [[Gospel]] and revealing the mysteries of devout faith.

The '''Archangels''' are called the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. Their service (as St. [[Dionysius the Areopagite]] says) consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God's will which they receive from the higher orders of [[angels]] and announce to the lower order, i.e., the [[angels]], and through them, to men. St. [[Gregory the Dialogist]] says that the archangels strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the holy [[Gospel]] and revealing the mysteries of devout faith.

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==Which angels?==

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As it is shown in the Book of the Holy [[Prophet Ezekiel]] throughout (compare with the [[Book of Revelation]]), the first four archangels ([[Archangel Michael|Michael]], [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]], [[Archangel Raphael|Raphel]], [[Archangel Uriel|Uriel]]) are the ones that stand in the four corners of The Great Throne of God (the ''Ma'aseh Merkabah''). Together with them stand the four six-winged Living Creatures (''Ayyot''), the four many-eyed [[Cherubim]]&mdash;having four arms, four wings and four faces each&mdash;and the four many-eyed Wheels (''Ophannim'') or Storm-Winds (''Galgallim''), which Christians, (according to the example of the Great [[Apostle Paul]] and that of his illustrious [[disciple]], St. Dionysius the Areopagite) call [[Thrones]]. These four archangels are the ones that protected the four camps of the people of [[Israel]] in the wilderness: to the North, to the South, to the East and to the West. They are the angels of the four winds, according to the [[Scripture]] that says: "[You] Who maketh his angels spirits [literally, winds]; his ministers a flaming fire" ([[Psalms]] 104:4, KJV).

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As it is shown in the Book of the Holy [[Prophet Ezekiel]] throughout (compare with the [[Book of Revelation]]), the first four archangels ([[Archangel Michael]], [[Archangel Gabriel]], Raphael, Uriel) are the ones that stand in the four corners of The Great Throne of God (the ''Ma'aseh Merkabah''). Together with them stand the four six-winged Living Creatures (''Ayyot''), the four many-eyed [[Cherubim]]&mdash;having four arms, four wings and four faces each&mdash;and the four many-eyed Wheels (''Ophannim'') or Storm-Winds (''Galgallim''), which Christians, (according to the example of the Great [[Apostle Paul]] and that of his illustrious [[disciple]], St. [[Dionysius the Areopagite]]) call [[Thrones]]. These four archangels are the ones that protected the four camps of the people of [[Israel]] in the wilderness : to the North, to the South, to the East and to the West. They are the [[Angels]] of the four winds, according to the [[Scripture]] that says : "You, Who make Your [[Angels]] spirits (winds), and Your servants pears of flaming fire".

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The ancient rabbis always connected the seven archangels with the seven then known planets: the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn; and the [[Church Fathers]] have always thought and taught that God rules this Universe through his Celestial Armies. There are three (irreducible) lists of these seven archangels. One comes from the [[Book of Enoch]], (which is accepted as [[canonical]] by the [[Church of Ethiopia|Ethiopian Orthodox Church]], itself representative of the [[Oriental Orthodox]] churches). The second is from the [[tradition]] of the Chalcedonian [[Orthodox Church]] (which, interestingly enough, coincides with that of the [[Gnosticism|Gnostics]], an ancient [[heresy]]). Finally, the third comes from such great Church Fathers as Sts. Dionysius the Areopagite and Gregory the Theologian.

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All of these three different lists, however, agree on the names of the first four archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel. The remaining three are given as follows:

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#From the [[Book of Enoch]] (Jewish, as well as Oriental Orthodox tradition): Raguel; Sarakiel or Saraqael; (Je)Re(h)miel or (Je)Ra(h)miel;

#From the Western tradition: (H)anael or (H)aniel; Jophiel or Cassiel; Zedekiel or Sachiel.

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The ancient Rabbis allways connected the seven archangels with the seven then-so-called planets: the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter, and the [[Church Fathers]] have allways thaught and taught that God rules this Universe through his Celestial Armies. There are three (irreducible) lists of these seven archangels: one from the [[Book of Enoch]], (which is accepted as [[canonical]] by the [[Church of Ethiopia|Ethiopian Orthodox Church]], which is representative of the [[Oriental Orthodox]] churches, which are all of semitic origins: Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Syrian); the second from the [[tradition]] of the Chalcedonian [[Orthodox Church]], (which, interestingly enough, coincides with that of the [[Gnosticism|Gnostics]]&mdash;who were an ancient [[Christian]] sect); and a third from such great [[Church Fathers]] as St. [[Dionysius the Areopagite]] and St. [[Gregory the Dialogist]].

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The explanation and translation of all of these names can be seen below, but the Oriental and Eastern traditions have one more archangel in common, namely the sixth, called Selaphiel. Likewise, it's worth noting that the last three archangels of the Eastern tradition represent the three forms, or types, of prayer: blessing, supplication and praise. Also, Zadkiel is one of two standard bearers (along with Zophiel) who follow directly behind the Archangel Michael as the head archangel enters battle.

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All of these three different lists, however, agree on the names of the first four archangels: [[Archangel Michael]], [[Archangel Gabriel]], Raphael, Uriel. The remaining three are given as follows :

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#From the [[Book of Enoch]] (Jewish, as well as Oriental Orthodox [[tradition]]) : Raguel; Sarakiel or Saraqael; (Je)Re(h)miel or (Je)Ra(h)miel;

[[Image:Archangels.JPG|thumb|right|230px|Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers, with the names of the seven Archangels inscribed, together with a seraphim (in red) and two cherubim (dark blue), and Christ in the center]]

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#From the Western [[tradition]] : (H)anael or (H)aniel; Jophiel or Cassiel; Zadkiel or Zedekiel.

*[[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]] "The Powerful or Strong Man of God," "The Power or Strength of God" Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19-26. Also called Djibril or Jibril.

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The explanation and translation of all of these names can be seen below, but the Oriental and Eastern [[tradition]]s have one more archangel in common, namely the sixth, called Selaphiel. Also, Zadkiel is one of two standard bearers (along with Zophiel) who follow directly behind the [[Archangel Michael]] as the head archangel enters battle.

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*[[Archangel Raphael|Raphael]]: "The Healing of God" Tobit 3:17; 12:15. Also called Israfel.

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*[[Archangel Uriel|Uriel]]: "The Light or Fire of God" A.V. II Esdras 4:1. Also called Sariel, Suriel, or Muriel.

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== [[Archangel Michael|Michael]] ==

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*[[Archangel Selaphiel|Selaphiel]]: "The Command, Communicant or Prayer of God", since command and prayer represent the two forms, or types, of communication: the first one being descendant and the second ascendant. Also called Salathiel, Selathiel, Seraphiel, Sarakiel, Saraqael, Zarachiel, Zerachiel, or Zachariel.

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"Who is like unto God?" Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Jude v. 9; Rev. 12:7-8.

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*[[Archangel Jehudiel|Jehudiel]]: "The Glory, Laudation or Praise of God." Also called Jegudiel or Gudiel.

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*[[Archangel Barachiel|Barachiel]]: "The Benediction or Blessings of God." Also called Varachiel.

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== [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]] ==

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*[[Archangel Raguel|Raguel]]: "The Friend of God." Also called Raziel[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/], which means "The Secrets of God." Not to be confused with Raphael.

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"The Powerful or Strong Man of God", "The Power or Strength of God" Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19-26.

"The Light or Fire of God" A.V. II Esdras 4:1. Also called Sariel, Suriel, or Muriel.

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== [[Archangel Selaphiel|Selaphiel]] ==

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"The Command, Communicant or Prayer of God". Also called Salathiel, Selathiel, Seraphiel, Sarakiel, Saraqael, Zarachiel, Zerachiel, or Zachariel.

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== [[Archangel Jehudiel|Jehudiel]] ==

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"The Glory, Laudation or Praise of God". Also called Jegudiel or Gudiel.

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== [[Archangel Barachiel|Barachiel]] ==

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"The Blessings of God". Also called Varachiel.

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== [[Archangel Raguel|Raguel]] ==

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"The Friend of God". Also called Raziel[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/] (which means "The Secrets of God"&mdash;quite possible, if one takes into consideration Jesus' words at the [[Last Supper]]: "For I shall no longer call you servants, but friends, because the servant doesn't know His Master's will"). Likewise, we are not to confound him (Raziel) with Raphael, which is in perfect agreement with the fact that neither is Raguel to be confounded with Raphael.

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== [[Archangel Jeremiel|Jeremiel]] ==

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"The Compassion, Exaltation or Mercy of God" R.V. II Esdras 4:36. Also called Jeramiel, Jerahmiel, Jerehmiel, Ramiel, or Remiel.

Latest revision as of 15:20, March 7, 2011

The Archangels are called the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. Their service (as St. Dionysius the Areopagite says) consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God's will which they receive from the higher orders of angels and announce to the lower order, i.e., the angels, and through them, to men. St. Gregory the Dialogist says that the archangels strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the holy Gospel and revealing the mysteries of devout faith.

Contents

Which angels?

As it is shown in the Book of the Holy Prophet Ezekiel throughout (compare with the Book of Revelation), the first four archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphel, Uriel) are the ones that stand in the four corners of The Great Throne of God (the Ma'aseh Merkabah). Together with them stand the four six-winged Living Creatures (Ayyot), the four many-eyed Cherubim—having four arms, four wings and four faces each—and the four many-eyed Wheels (Ophannim) or Storm-Winds (Galgallim), which Christians, (according to the example of the Great Apostle Paul and that of his illustrious disciple, St. Dionysius the Areopagite) call Thrones. These four archangels are the ones that protected the four camps of the people of Israel in the wilderness: to the North, to the South, to the East and to the West. They are the angels of the four winds, according to the Scripture that says: "[You] Who maketh his angels spirits [literally, winds]; his ministers a flaming fire" (Psalms 104:4, KJV).

The ancient rabbis always connected the seven archangels with the seven then known planets: the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn; and the Church Fathers have always thought and taught that God rules this Universe through his Celestial Armies. There are three (irreducible) lists of these seven archangels. One comes from the Book of Enoch, (which is accepted as canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, itself representative of the Oriental Orthodox churches). The second is from the tradition of the Chalcedonian Orthodox Church (which, interestingly enough, coincides with that of the Gnostics, an ancient heresy). Finally, the third comes from such great Church Fathers as Sts. Dionysius the Areopagite and Gregory the Theologian.
All of these three different lists, however, agree on the names of the first four archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel. The remaining three are given as follows:

From the Book of Enoch (Jewish, as well as Oriental Orthodox tradition): Raguel; Sarakiel or Saraqael; (Je)Re(h)miel or (Je)Ra(h)miel;

From the Eastern Orthodox tradition: Barachiel; Salathiel; (Je)Gudiel or (Je)hudiel;

From the Western tradition: (H)anael or (H)aniel; Jophiel or Cassiel; Zedekiel or Sachiel.

The explanation and translation of all of these names can be seen below, but the Oriental and Eastern traditions have one more archangel in common, namely the sixth, called Selaphiel. Likewise, it's worth noting that the last three archangels of the Eastern tradition represent the three forms, or types, of prayer: blessing, supplication and praise. Also, Zadkiel is one of two standard bearers (along with Zophiel) who follow directly behind the Archangel Michael as the head archangel enters battle.

Name meanings

Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers, with the names of the seven Archangels inscribed, together with a seraphim (in red) and two cherubim (dark blue), and Christ in the center

Uriel: "The Light or Fire of God" A.V. II Esdras 4:1. Also called Sariel, Suriel, or Muriel.

Selaphiel: "The Command, Communicant or Prayer of God", since command and prayer represent the two forms, or types, of communication: the first one being descendant and the second ascendant. Also called Salathiel, Selathiel, Seraphiel, Sarakiel, Saraqael, Zarachiel, Zerachiel, or Zachariel.

Jehudiel: "The Glory, Laudation or Praise of God." Also called Jegudiel or Gudiel.

Barachiel: "The Benediction or Blessings of God." Also called Varachiel.

Raguel: "The Friend of God." Also called Raziel[1], which means "The Secrets of God." Not to be confused with Raphael.

Jeremiel: "The Compassion, Exaltation or Mercy of God" R.V. II Esdras 4:36. Also called Jeramiel, Jerahmiel, Jerehmiel, Ramiel, or Remiel.

Anael: "The Grace or Joy of God." Also called Aniel, Hanael, or Haniel.